Having a hot tub is one of the real treats in life. There is nothing quite like slipping into a hot tub at the end of a long day to help melt your stress away. One thing that might sound intimidating about having a hot tub is dealing with hot tub chemicals. There’s nothing to fear, though. Managing chemicals for hot tub maintenance is straightforward and simple to learn.

Testing the Waters

Before using any hot tub chemicals, you first have to know which ones to use and when. To do this, you just need to perform some simple tests. Your hot tub dealer will have the guides, tests, and chemicals you need.

Testing the water in your hot tub usually involves dipping a test strip in your hot tub water. First, you test for alkalinity. This is the amount of base in your water. If it is too alkaline, you can have too much hard water, which can damage your system. To test this, take an alkaline test strip from the container, making sure you only touch one end of the strip. This will ensure you don’t contaminate the other end with the oils in your fingers.

Follow the instructions on the test kit. If your dip test shows levels between 80ppm and 120ppm, then you are in good shape. If your tub is too alkaline, you can add the proper spa chemicals, in this case an alkalinity increaser.

Finding Balance

The main thing you want for your hot tub is a balanced pH level. In the range between one and 14 measuring the acidity or alkalinity (or base) of your hot tub’s water, you want a level between 7.2 and 7.8 for proper pH balance.

Chemicals for Keeping Your Hot Tub Sanitized

It is important to keep your hot tub water sanitized. We all know the importance of chlorine in public swimming pools, and your hot tub is no different. Sanitizing hot tub chemicals help keep you and your loved ones soaking safely.

There are two primary chemicals for hot tub sanitizing. You can opt for bromine or chlorine. Bromine is a little more difficult to apply as it is harder to dissolve in water. On the other hand, bromine treatments last longer. Chlorine is easier to apply and costs less per application, but you need to do it more often. Your dealer can help you choose which is right for you.

Hot Tub Chemicals for Shock Treatments

About once per week, it is advisable to give your hot tub a shock treatment. This is simply adding either a form of chlorine called Dichlor or a monopersulfate compound to oxidize and evaporate any organic contaminants in your hot tub. Just get a shock treatment kit, follow the instructions, and you will soon be a pro.

Draining Your Tub

Managing your hot tub’s water with spa chemicals is relatively simple and vital to keeping your hot tub clean. The main things you need are the right chemicals and tests from your hot tub dealer and a schedule to stay on track. Sometimes, though, you need to start your system over. It is advisable to drain your hot tub every three months, so you can start with a fresh load of water and the perfect chemical balance.

Ask your friendly hot tub dealer if you have any questions about hot tub chemicals or maintenance.